- Derrick Muwina
- Chelsea, MA
- United States
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Is religion still relevant and necessary in the face of the many global challenges?
My interest is to hear what people have to say about the role of religion in our societies and whether we need it as we face serious global challenges. Answers can come from any perspective.
Topics:
religion
Jordan Shurmer
I personally think that religion is still relevant in today's world. But I think the answer actually depends on what you mean by relevant.
Relevant can mean two different things. For example, I believe that Christianity, and most importantly the gospel, is relevant to today's culture. Even relevant to atheists. That's because Christianity makes certain truth claims that are either universally true, for everyone everywhere at every time, or universally false. So I think if it is extremely relevant to everyone and every culture if God really did pour his wrath that each of us deserve on the innocent Christ (the historical Jesus, not gnostic "Christ") and then raised him to life again and that through faith in His blood to cover my sins I am forgiven and given righteousness. Absolutely I think that message is relevant.
However there is a different meaning of relevant. Relevant can also be taken to mean something like - is it something people care about? is it something that interests them? etc. So its pretty obvious that in that sense religion is not relevant in today's culture (unless it's a nameless watered down bhudism-ish nonreligious religion).
I've never been good at expressing my thoughts, but I hope my thoughts are helpful. at least as a viewpoint of someone tremendously changed by God through the gospel preached by his Church (organized religion).
Bakul Valambhiya (Mistry)
Michael Gibson
Everyone wonders where we came from. Why we are here. Who we are. What we're doing and why. Is there any point? Do I matter? How do I live? How to treat others? What to hope for? Is everything already planned out? Do I have free will? How do I make choices?
Religion helps to answer so many of these questions and helps us form an identity.
The problem, besides Religion In Action, is that the main religions of the world are seen as separate from each other. Gnosis teaches that Jesus the Christ, Krishna the Christ, Quetzalcoatl the Christ, Osiris the Christ, and many others, all come from the same root, which is Gnosis (Greek for experiential knowledge), and anyone can become Christified which is the goal of Gnosis. Gnosis explains the secrets of scripture and alchemy in order to reveal to us practical steps in order to become better people by experiencing a revolution in consciousness or awakening of the consciousness.
Visit www.gnosticteachings.org to learn more. Gnosis deals with Religion, Philosophy, Science, and Art. It is a full experience but is not for the undisciplined.
Yes, Religion is 100% necessary.
Joe Delsen 20+
This fundamental unity can be made more strong and apparent when we define it in a "universal" language that avoids bias and prejudice arising from our perceptions that other belief systems and cultures are different and are invading or converting our own belief system.
Our own perspective has wisdom and truth when it can take any other perspective and see its translation into our own, realizing our fundamental unity.
James Turner 10+
Chelsea Sim
Serious global challenges nowadays can be broken down into natural disasters and man-made crises. Natural disasters are hard to predict and being the emotional creatures we are, people look for answers in grief and hurt. With the hope and support that faiths offer, we can all move on together instead of being lagged behind in grief. Man-made crises such as economic crises seem to be entirely irrelevant to faiths but many people believe tend to turn to places of worship to pray for success in endeavours. This has been proven to somewhat raise morales of businessmen/stockbrokers. Coming back to the point that faiths make up a huge part of culture and customs, and in defining what is morally acceptable in countries, this could reduce corruption etc. It may sound a bit far-fetched but one less fraud case IS a fraud case less.
My stand is clear, I think that faiths will definitely be relevant no matter which stage of life or century we are at.
Arne Noordegraaf
It is a "way" to explain life, possibly how to life it for most people.
So one might take the muslim way, one might take the christian way and so forth.
Its up to you, to decide for yourself. Everyone for themself.
Some ways are very similar, some are very different.
As long as you can respect each others ways, no trouble.
The question if its still relevant leads to nothing but different ways of explaining life, how to live it.
And this brings forth a discussion about religion itself, not so much its role in society.
People with faith oftenly believe their religion will bring absolution to the world, will make things better in the end.
Maybe even give them passage into heaven instead of hell.
A lot of the faithful would instantly shout yes to your question.
And then there is the people without faith, some of which hate religion.
Instant no.
NO YES NO YES NO YES NO YES.
??
Nothing if lucky, war if not.
So if it is or is not necessary, how can we know unless we perceive both ways.
Copy earth, make earth 1 religious and earth 2 not religious.
Only then, you will know for certain, but ofcourse people can go guess here which is all fun n games.
Even tho I do agree some religions could be holding us back, some religions are full of dogma's.
Some religions almost forbid open mindedness, of course not literally.
And in the end it all comes down here to open mindedness.
Adam Wolin
Prakriti Sardana
James Turner 10+